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Logline

Nearly two decades after losing his eldest brother to gang violence, social worker J.R. Angeles embarks on an intimate journey with his father and late brother’s teenage son through grief, cultural identity, and healing, revealing a story that honors the sacrifices and resilience of countless Filipino immigrant families in California.

Synopsis

Nearly two decades after his brother Jerem’s tragic and unsolved murder, J.R. Angeles embarks on a deeply personal journey to uncover the truth about his eldest brother’s life and legacy. Through long-overdue conversations with his family, J.R. pieces together Jerem’s experience as a Filipino immigrant navigating California’s gang culture in the 1990s, shaped by socioeconomic struggles and systemic challenges.

Despite his gang affiliation, Jerem (known as Germ) was a devoted son, brother, and friend, grappling with mental health struggles and dreams of a different life. On the eve of his wedding, he was fatally shot in what police suspect was gang-related violence. His death left a void in his family, particularly for his son, DJ, who never met him.

Now a social worker, J.R. seeks to reconnect his fractured family, bridging the past and present by inviting DJ to meet his paternal relatives. As three generations come together, they navigate loss, identity, and the complexities of healing—working to transform years of distance into newfound understanding and connection.
 

Meet the Filmmakers

Jon Pham — Director/Cinematographer
Jon Pham is a cinematographer based in Los Angeles, CA. He obtained his BA in Cinema & Media Studies from the University of Southern California. Early highlights include being the cinematographer for Seeking Shelter, an award-winning short documentary that premiered at Slamdance Film Festival in 2017, among many others. Pham was also selected to be the cinematographer for Sprite’s “Thirst for Yours” campaign in 2019, a project largely focused on championing young filmmakers of color. He was accepted as a cinematography fellow for Film Independent’s Project Involve in 2021. The same year, Pham’s work on All I Ever Wanted went on to screen at BFI Flare, Outfest, and 36 other festivals—as well as garnering a “Best Comedy” award at HollyShorts Film Festival. The following year, he was chosen to be part of the ASC Vision Mentorship Program as a mentee under Fernando Arguelles, ASC, AEC (Prison Break, Hemlock Grove). jonphamdp.com

Selena Leoni — Producer
Selena Leoni is a transnational producer and executive with over a decade of interdisciplinary experience in film, television, and multimedia. Shaped by her upbringing in Italy and China, Selena offers a unique perspective, fostering a profound understanding of globalized storytelling. She has led diverse projects across genres that reached various platforms, including STARZ, Amazon Prime, and Apple TV. Notably, her works have earned recognition at prestigious festivals: Bienvenidos a Los Angeles was on the Shortlist for the 2024 Academy Awards, Eid Mubarak received an Honorable Mention on the 2024 Gold List, and Haint was a finalist at the 2024 Tribeca and Chanel Through Her Lens Program. Her feature film, Young King, the debut feature of Emmy-Winning director Bryant Griffin, premiered at the 2024 American Black Film Festival and screened at the 2024 Austin Film Festival. As a member of BAFTA Connect, Berlinale Talents, Gold House Futures, and Film Independent’s Project Involve, Selena actively advocates for social inclusion and amplifies historically marginalized voices within the industry. selenaleoni.com

Fiona Hardingham — Producer
Fiona’s mission is to create powerful, emotive stories to promote empathy and drive social change. She produced the documentary series Go Gently with Emmy-nominated Dash Pictures, hosted by climate activists Bonnie Wright (Harry Potter) and Pattie Gonia. Was the 2nd Unit Production Manager for Netflix’s Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story and Series Associate Producer on the IDA-nominated My Love: Six Stories of True Love for Netflix, highlighted as one of IndieWire’s “Best of 2021”.

A 2023 Film Independent Producing Lab Fellow and recipient of the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Producing Grant, Fiona recently produced Fireline for Rising Voices 2024. Supported by Indeed, Hillman Grad and 271 Films, the film premiered at Tribeca 2024. As a 2021 Film Independent Project Involve Fellow, she produced award-winning shorts: The Mason Ring, which won HBO Max’s ‘Best Short Film’ at the MVAAFF, and All I Ever Wanted, winner of ‘Best Comedy’ at HollyShorts. fionahardingham.co/producing

Marques Mallare — Producer
Marques Mallare is a driven and energetic Filipino-American Director and Producer based in Los Angeles, CA, with a passion for storytelling that bridges creativity and strategy. Beginning his career as a stuntman in the San Francisco Bay Area, Marques quickly transitioned to the other side of the camera, honing his skills as a filmmaker and a storyteller. With a deep commitment to collaboration, Marques works closely with the crews who have been instrumental in his journey, bringing a fresh perspective to both narrative and non-narrative projects. His work showcases a blend of artistic vision and technical precision, earning recognition on prestigious platforms.

Marques made his mark as a director with his debut film, Palm Swings, which he also produced. The film earned accolades including Best Dark Comedy and Best LGBTQ+ Film at the Independent Shorts Awards and IndieX Film Fest. Garnering millions of views online, the project solidified his reputation as a versatile and impactful storyteller. marquesmallare.com

Diana Diroy — Editor
Diana Diroy, a Sundance Documentary Edit and Story Lab Fellow (2022), is the editor of the feature documentary, Standing Above the Clouds (2024), which world-premiered at Hot Docs and won the Bill Nemtin Social Impact Award. In 2019, she edited the short version of the film, which won Best Documentary Short at the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival. Diroy also edited Fire Through Dry Grass, Best Feature Documentary at the BlackStar Film Festival, a New York Times Critic’s Pick, and part of POVʻs Season 36 on PBS. In 2021, she was selected for the Sundance Art of Editing Fellowship and in 2018 was a fellow for the Karen Schmeer Diversity in the Edit Room Program.

In addition to editing, Diroy is the co-director and DP of We Are They, an experimental dance documentary highlighting the work of Filipino health care workers living in Queens, New York during the height of the pandemic. The short film was featured at MoMA PS1 in 2024.

When Diroy isnʻt creating, she’s teaching. She currently teaches video editing at UC Berkeley’s Graduate School of Journalism. dianadiroy.com

Kelsey Boncato — Animator
Kelsey Boncato is a Filipina American artist, illustrator, and animation director based in LA. Known for her textural, organic, and emotive style, she blends traditional and digital techniques. Her collaborative projects span music, design, and film, creating immersive multimedia experiences. Her VR labyrinth, Forest (with composer Daniel Oldham), premiered at SXSW 2019 and won Best Experience at VRHAM! Hamburg. Notable exhibitions include Sheffield Doc/Fest, Ottawa Int’l Animation Fest, and Open City Doc Fest London. Boncato’s connection to visual storytelling extends to her music project Kelady. Her 21-track album BABAE (woman) blends multi-genre songwriting with themes of love and loss, accompanied by animated visuals. Her music video Papaya-Remix screened at the 2023 Bakunawa Film, Art & Music Fest, Philippines and was nominated for the Audience Award. A USC Roski B.A. graduate and Discovery Scholar Prize recipient, Boncato continues to navigate her artistic path through boundless creative realms, exploring medium, time, and emotion. bkelsstudio.cargo.site

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Contact

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